December 2, 2006
Newsletter Archives

Most of the time we look at the decorations of Christmas without giving much thought to their meaning. For most people it is enough to say “I just like them.” But a lot of the traditions were thoughts in the heart, before they became symbols on the hearth. Not all symbols are Christian in thought, but the Christmas wreath is.
Actually, the color green, evergreen branches, and the Christmas wreath all have similar meaning. All three symbolize the continuance of life through the winter. The wreath also symbolizes the strength of life to overcome the forces of winter, the promise of resurrection, and victory.
To me, the thought of victory seems so significant, because the moment of the Lord Jesus Christ coming into the world was the perfect timing of God. He could not have come at any other time and have fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. And He came only after God had allowed the creation to go on for thousands of years. This length of time allowed man to realize that he could not save Himself from his own failures and weaknesses.
When humankind had proved beyond doubt that we could not gain the victory over sin in our own power, God sent His Son to save us. Many times during the Christmas season we will hear the words: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”Matthew 1:21. Yet, we forget that we are not expected to save ourselves.
Salvation of self is impossible for man, so God sent His Son to save us. The victory is the power of the Lord Jesus over sin and guilt in our lives. We just need to trust Him to do this.
Is it not a tragedy that two thousand years after the coming of the Savior, most people are still trying to save themselves? By church attendance, by prayers, and by sacrifices of various kinds so many people are trying to do what they cannot do. It has already been done.
When we see a wreath this Christmas, we should recall for a moment that the victory over sin has been gained by the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus. And we need to personally come into the good of this by simply trusting Him.

Russ Nesbit